Late Night Cravings

To borrow a played out anology, being a DJ is a lot like being a chef. It reminds me of an episode of Kitchen Confidential where Anthony Bourdain is trying to sell sweetbreads (thymus glands) in his high-end Manhatten restaurant. It may be amazing, but the average person just isn't going to get it (or want to eat it. Seriously).

So it is with DJing. One component I think it is important to remember is alcohol. The smooth talking, well read invidivual will sing out just loud to "Sweet Caroline" as anybody else with a few shots in them.

Going back to the food anology, when substances are introduced into your Friday night and it's late, what do you crave? An apple? A glass a milk? Or a massive, greasy, and sloppy fast food burger?

Same deal with music. Now, I'm not saying you can't try to educate your audience. Slip Justice in with your Hip Hop set. The first Hot Chip single off of their fresh album, Shake a Fist, could easily fit in with a top 40 mix.

It's about knowing your audience too. Here in Des Moines, if you dropped Nelly you might get a posistive response. Try it in a Chicago club and you would be booed off stage. How eduated is your room? How drunk is your room? Who is on the floor?

Would a pitchfork critic be the best DJ? I doubt it. I think they would be unwilling to drop "Gimme More" even though a room would go nuts for it.



I have a new shipment of vinyl coming in this week; photos to follow.